The garden and its animals

Below you will find more information on the garden and the animals you are likely to see there

The garden

The garden is 4000 square metres large, which in itself is surrounded by bush, i.e. uncultivated land.

Our swimming pool offers cooling off after hot safari drives in summer. The pool can be used all year round.

Privacy and total relaxing are our concern. In the garden are large trees and bush which offer shade and privacy to animals as well as humans.

The BBQ place (called 'boma' in South Africa) is perfect for having a great time with family and friends while being one with nature.

You can grill ('braai' in South Africa) or have Betty prepare a potjie, a typical South African dish.

Animals

Because property fencing within Marloth Park is forbidden, game such as kudu, zebra, giraffe, blue wildebeest, nyala, impala, warthog and plenty of smaller animals roam freely between the houses.

Have a look below at our picture gallery and description of visiting animals, and also look at our Facebook page , to learn about all the animals coming to Rafiki's Resthouse.

One may sometimes wonder who is watching who :

Which Animals can you see in the garden?

We try to put them in order of their daily time schedule (early 'birds' first).

1. Baboons
They can pass by any time but 'peak hours' are very early in the morning and between 12 and 2pm. Try not to leave food outside at times that chances are high that they will come. Very early in the morning, there will be no food as whatever you have left the previous day will have been eaten by night animals. First a scout will come. If you manage to yell that one away, the rest of the group will hopefully make a large detour around the property.

2. Vervet monkeys
They can be quite cheeky and invasive (close all doors and windows!) but they are not destructive like the baboons and we love to watch them. They delicately pick up the sun seed that we leave for the birds. They can come very early in the morning and might pass again during the day. Just before dusk they often pass by.

3. Bush buck

Often solitary. Shy. Might come around 6 in the morning or earlier. Also passes by at night. If you are very careful and have a banana in your hand, you might get close enough to marvel at the thinness of their legs.

4. Impala

Impala come in large groups and can pass by at any time of day or night. They are very shy and will not come to the verandah. There is a high chance that you see them in the bush when you walk through the back of our garden to the river.

5. Banded mongoose

They come in large numbers and it is funny to watch how they crack open an egg. They often pass by early in the morning but also late afternoon.

6. Warthog

Eats anything and yet can be choosy. Once we had left the laundry door open when hanging the washing at 5 metres away and a huge male went into the laundry. Luckily he did not eat the washing powder, lol. Always keep your doors closed.

7. Zebra
They love the pellets and the fresh water and can come any time of the day. NEVER stand behind a zebra.

8. Kudu

They also love the pellets and can come any time of the day or even at night. NEVER stand too close to the horns. Even unintentionally, such an animal might hurt badly just by bending down its head.

9. Monitor lizard
These come out to sunbathe when the sun is strong, usually early in the morning or around noon. Loves tomatoes, vegetables, etc, and goes for a drink at the pond under the bushbaby house by the tree next to the pond.

10. Bushbaby
They come at dusk and at night : put sliced banana on the wooden plate at the verandah (excellent place for pictures when you are sitting at the table). That they will come is certain. Whether you will also see them depends on your behaviour. We have the common small bushbaby (his hopping looks like flying). It will come at dusk and arrives before the thick tailed bushbaby. They will not be around together.
We are very happy to have the visits of the rarer thick tailed bushbaby. Some of them are very shy and nervous, others have gotten used to quiet visitors.

11. Genet cat
Eats cooked meat (NOT raw meat or you will not see any animal that night). Whereas the bushbabies start coming at dusk, the genet cat often does not appear before 10 in the evening.

12. Leopard
He has been a resident there for years. He is often spotted at 5 in the morning, in the dirt road at the back of the garden, but Betty already saw him at 8 in the morning. His roar when heard from very close by gives you goose bumps but he is no danger when respected (do not walk to the river when it is dark).

13. Snakes
We have not seen any yet, but as this is the bush, snakes cannot be excluded (they hate vacuum cleaning, so Betty does that every day). Security will help with anything concerning safety (also snakes) 013 792 4207

13. Birds

Our garden is also a birds’ paradise. There are too many to mention. Put bird seed and you will see.

How to see more animals

Based on our own experience and that of previous guests, there are a few basic principles that enhance animal visits.

The length of your stay: 3 days is a minimum ; 5 days or more gives a much better chance of game viewing. This is similar to safari : the longer you stay, the more you see, always something new. If you stay over two weeks, the animals will get to know you and come all the time.
Food: food attracts animals. Because there is a lot of dry land and an ever growing population of animals, feeding the wild animals is allowed, but grazers and browsers should only eat the pellets that can be bought. Do not give bread. One can buy pellets in the shops or with Betty. ALL animals love banana.
Fresh water: the small drinking recipient by the tree should be filled up daily. We do that sometimes 10 times a day, certainly when zebra or kudu pass. Animals prefer these little drinking reservoirs as they are always cleaned and the water is fresh.
Patience: as with safari drives or walks, some days you have luck and others not. On clouded days, less animals come by.
Presence at Rafiki's Resthouse: this seems obvious, but not to everyone :). If you are in Kruger all day, do not expect to see a lot during the day at Rafiki's Resthouse.
Guests' behaviour: the animals are frightened by sudden movements or shouts. Normal talking will not disturb them. Loud parties will keep them away but nice friends' evenings outside do not disturb them.

"We want you to be relaxed, share our love for nature and feel very welcome"